Ronin possesses four things that I truly love in life: Robert De Niro's acting ability, beautiful French scenery, spectacular action, and my Yorkshire heritage (represented by the consistently-good Sean Bean). So, naturally I'm going to love it, right?
Right. Frankenheimer, a former amateur racing driver, is responsible for directing this action-thriller that boasts all of the above, and some of the greatest car chases to ever grace a cinema audience.
The plot is simple: a group of freelance mercenaries are planning on a stealing a briefcase from their targets. The motivations of the characters are largely based on money and survival, rather than honour and duty, hence the term "Ronin" which was used by the Japanese to describe a Samurai with no master. The crew is made up of internationals: Sam (De Niro) and Larry (Skipp Sudduth) are from America, Spence (Sean Bean) is from England, Deidre (Natascha McElhone) from Ireland, Vincent (Jean Reno) from France, and Gregor (Stellan Skarsgard) from Russia. Each of the actors are pretty convincing in their performances.
We never actually learn what's in the briefcase, however- that's not the point of Ronin. The point is this: the case is something everyone wants, and things are going to get blown up if they get in the way of the characters getting their hands on it. As long as the scrap is entertaining do we really care?
Well, I didn't anyway. Most of the scenes in Ronin are made up of violent rivalies and a high-speed car chases. Pure entertainment, with the odd line of wisdom thrown in every now and then from the great De Niro.
Ronin is neither over-the-top or completely dumb. The car chases all seem pretty realistic, even if they are an excuse to give the film some action; the stunt work is fantastic, and Frankenheimer's experience as an amateur racing driver definitely appears valuable via his direction. It's full of suspense, takes advantage of its beautiful scenery, and possesses a superb cast.
A simple, old-fashioned action-thriller with enough class to intrigue even the most stubborn anti-action movie goer.
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